LOS ANGELES (AP)
- Jazz guitarist Gabor Szabo has filed a $21 million lawsuit against the
Church of Scientology, accusing the organization of embezzling his money,
kidnapping him and forcing him to undergo a Scientology "Life Repair
Course."

In a 36-page complaint,
Szabo's lawyer listed accusations which included Scientology's alleged
takeover of the musician's career after he sought help in the church's
drug-treatment program.

Szabo, born in Budapest
in 1936, is best known for his worked with Lena Horne. During the late
'60s and early '70s he was a regular at the Monterey and Newport jazz
festivals. His most popular tune is Mizrab which came out in the late
'70s.

Szabo contends the
church induced him to sign a personal management contract with Artists
International, a company he said is an arm of the Church of Scientology.
He said the firm was inept in artist management and more concerned with
using his name to win converts to Scientology.

He said the company
charged a fee of 26 percent of his gross income for its services but did
not pass on or account for the thousands of dollars he earned while they
managed him. Szabo accused Scientology and Artists International of embezzling
at least $15,000 from him.

The church's minister
of public affairs, Heber Jentzsch, denied all allegations and said Szabo
has been given a full refund of his money "and has signed documents
to that effect."

Szabo says he was
induced to sign a release and accept the money after a long period of
harassment.

He said Scientologists
told him he was a "pts" or "potential trouble source"
because he could not fully commit himself to the teachings and principles
of Scientology.

He said he was ordered
to travel to Florida to undergo Scientology's Life Repair Course, a program
which cost $12,000.